Patrick, I am shocked right now. The Rockies signed a great bullpen guy in Greg Holland. Should we be at all worried about him coming back from Tommy John surgery?

— Taylor, Aurora

I won’t say I was shocked, but it was a bit of a surprise to see Colorado land him. Now, on to your question. Should you be worried? I wouldn’t use that word, I would replace it with cautious. I don’t think Holland will be sharp in the early going, which is why I predict Adam Ottavino will open the season as the closer.

“When Holland threw for evaluators earlier in this offseason, some walked away greatly concerned by the lack of velocity. In 2014, Holland’s average fastball velocity was 95.8 mph, and according to some scouts, what Holland showed in the recent workout was about 85-86 mph. “He looked terrible,” said one evaluator, on Thursday. Some teams hoped to see Holland again, to see if he would build on that velocity through the offseason, but the Rockies invested $7 million in him on the faith that he will bounce back.”

Time will tell, but put me on the record as saying that I think signing Holland was a good, bold move.

Now that Mark Trumbo has signed with the Baltimore Orioles, are the Rockies really planning on going into the season with Ian Desmond at first base? It seems like a risky play to me.

— Ben, Denver

I know Jeff Bridich tells everyone they intend to play Ian Desmond at first base, which in my eyes is a waste of athleticism. Are there any more rumors of trading Charlie Blackmon so we do not waste Desmond’s athleticism?

— Cade, Fort Collins

Here are two questions on the same topic — Ian Desmond as a first baseman — that just won’t go away. I’ll address them at the same time.

As I write this, we are 13 days away from the Rockies’ first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers and it seems pretty clear that Desmond will be the first baseman.

At least to begin this season, and likely for most of 2016.

Let me share some opinions, point by point:

1. I have no doubt that Desmond can make the transition to first base. He’s committed to the move and he’s been working out as a first baseman for more than six weeks. He’ll have all of spring training to complete the transition. Remember, we are talking about an all-star shortstop that became an all-star outfielder. He’s a superior athlete, he can handle first base.

2. The Rockies signed Desmond with the idea that over the course of his five-year, $70 million contract, he provides versatility and could become an outfielder, should the Rockies trade Carlos Gonzalez or Charlie Blackmon.

3. I’m not sure I understand some fans’ obsession with trading Blackmon. Yes, the rumors were out there, but they were just that — rumors. Unless the Rockies can get significant pitching for Blackmon in return, it makes no sense to trade him. He’s an incredible asset to the team.

In my opinion, Blackmon is a better ballplayer than former Colorado center fielder Dexter Fowler, whom the Cardinals signed this offseason for five years and $82.5 million — with a full no-trade clause.

4. With both Blackmon and Desmond in the lineup, the Rockies have speed and athleticism throughout their lineup. They also have some real speed on the bases, something that makes their lineup even more dynamic.

5. I don’t buy the argument that Desmond’s athleticism is “wasted” as first base. Given the talent in the Rockies’ infield, having a superior athlete at first base is a bonus.

6. While I applaud general manager Jeff Bridich’s out-of-the-box thinking on this, the one flaw to his plan is that Desmond does lack the power of a traditional first baseman. Theoretically, Colorado might have been able to gain right-handed power by signing Trumbo, Chris Carter or Edwin Encarnacion, all of whom would have thrive at Coors Field.

Patrick, spring training is right around the corner and I am excited to get down to Arizona. Can you recommend a few places to eat while in town? Also, what is your favorite part of spring training? Thanks.

— Andy, Aurora

Andy, thanks! Finally some really important questions!

My favorite restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale is Frank and Lupe’s. It’s a family run Mexican food restaurant. In a sea of over-hyped and over-priced Scottsdale restaurants, it’s simple and fun. The patio is great, the margaritas are tasty and the food is good, if hardly inventive.

There is a restaurant close to Salt River Fields called Grassroots that I also like. It features an eclectic menu and a nice patio.

And, of course, there are a number of In-N-Out Burger joints around the Phoenix area. And I wonder why I gain weight at spring training?! Not this year! (He said with conviction.)

How do the 2017 Rockies compare to the 2009 Rockies? The 2009 Rockies had 92 wins and made the playoffs. In full disclosure, they were eliminated in the first round by Philadelphia. Now that the 2017 roster appears to be set, it would be interesting to see how these two rosters compare by position (by offense and defense), starting pitching and relief pitching. I can’t wait to see how these two rosters compare.

— Joe, Littleton

Joe, this is an interesting question. I’ll throw the lineups out there and let the readers debate which lineup is better. But let me say that the 2017 Rockies certainly have the chance to be the franchise’s best team since 2009.

In fact, I think this starting rotation has a chance to be even better than the 2009 version (FYI, starting pitching that season posted a 4.10 ERA, the best in franchise history). And while there is talent and potential in the 2017 bullpen, it is unproven.

Picking which lineup is better is a tough call, but I think right now I would go with the proven 2009 team, until I see more from the 2017 youngsters.

This spring we also have the World Baseball Classic going on, do players like this or is it a distraction?

— Bob D., Highlands Ranch

Bob, I think there is a mixed reaction. I don’t think the players like having to report to spring training a week earlier than usual. Most position players will tell you that spring training is already at least two weeks too long.

However, for those who are participating in the WBC — players such as the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado, Jake McGee, Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra — the WBC is a welcome diversion and a lot of fun.

The Rockies’ lineup is stacked and they might have the best infield in all of baseball. Should I be worried about the pitching or can I go ahead and buy my postseason tickets now?

— JT, Denver

I would hold off on buying those tickets. Pitching is always a question for the Rockies, though there is reason for optimism. If the starters stay healthy (always a big if), and if the Rockies can find the right bullpen combinations (another big if), then playoff contention is a realistic goal.

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the season.